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Poems (From the Devonshire manuscript. Part Ib.)

17

In faith methinks it is no right
To hate me thus for loving ye,
So fair a face, so full of spite,
Who would have thought such cruelty?
But since there is no remedy,
That by no means ye can me love,
I shall you leave and other prove.
For if I have for my good will
No reward else but cruelty,
In faith thereof I can no skill
Sith that I loved ye honestly.
But take heed I will till I die
Or that I love so well again,
Since women use so much to feign.

In faythe methynkes yt ys no ryght
To hate me thus for lovyng ye,
So fayre a face, so full of spyght,
Who wold have thowght suche crueltye ;
But syns ther is no remedye,
That by no meanes ye can me love,
I shall you leve and other prove.
Ffor yff I have for my good wyll
No reward eles but cruelltye,
In faythe thereoff I can no skyll
Sythe that I lovyd ye honestlye ;
But take hede I wyll tyll I dye
Or that I love so well agayn,
Syns women use so muche to fayn.

NOTES

other prove = try someone else.
I can no skill = I do not have the art or skill (to counteract your cruelty).
Sith = since.
take heed = exercise care.
Or that I = to ensure that I do not.
use so much = are so much accustomed.

18

The knot which first my heart did strain,
When that your servant I became,
Doth bind me still for to remain
Always your own, as now I am.
And if you find that I do feign,
With just judgement my self I damn
To have disdain.
If other thought in me do grow
But still to love you stedfastly,
If that the proof do not well show
That I am yours assuredly,
Let every wealth turn me to woe,
And you to me continually
My chiefest foe.
If other love or new request
Do ease my heart, but only this,
Or if within my wearied breast
Be hid one thought that mean amiss,
I do desire that mine unrest
May still increase, and I to miss
What I love best.
If in my love there be one spot
Of false deceit or doubleness,
Or if I mind to slip this knot
By want of faith or steadfastness,
Let all my service be for nought
And when I would have chief redress
Esteem me not.
But if that I consume in pain
Of burning sighs, and fervent love,
And daily seek no nother gain
But with my deed these words to prove,
Methink of right I should obtain
That ye would mind for to remove
Your great disdain.
And for the end of this my song
Unto your hands I do submit
My deadly grief and pains so strong,
Which in my heart be firmly shut.
And when ye list, redress my wrong,
Since well ye know this painful fit
Hath last too long.

The knot which fyrst my hert did strayn,
When that your servant I becam,
Doth bynd me still for to remain
Allwayes your owne, as now I am ;
And if you fynd that I do fayne,
With just jugement my selfe I dam
To have dysdain.
If other thought in me do groo
But styl to love you stedfastlye,
If that the proff do not well shoo
That I am yours asurydly,
Let every wellth turne me to woo,
And you to me continually
My chefest foo.
If other love or new Request
Doo ese my hart, but only this,
Or if within my weryd brest
Be hyd on thought that mene amys,
I do desyer that myn unrest
May styll increse, and I to mys
What I love best.
If in my love ther be oon spott
Of false desayyt or dobylnes,
Or if I mynd to slyp thys knot
By want of faithe or stedfastnes,
Let all my sarvyes be for nott
And when I wold have chef redres
Estem me nott.
But if that I consume in paine
Of burning syghes, and fervent love,
And daly seke no nother gayne
But with my ded these wordes to prove,
Methink of ryght I shuld obtayn
That ye wold mynd for to remove
Your gret disdayn.
And for the end of this my song
Unto your handes I do submit
My dedly greffe, and payns so strong,
Whych in my hert be fermly shytt ;
And when ye lyst, redres me wrong,
Sens well ye know this paynfull ffytt
Hath last tto long.

NOTES

strain = tie tightly.
To have disdain = to be disdained (by you).
but still to love you = other than that of continually loving you.
turn me to woe = turn in me to pain and sorrow.
but only this = except this i.e. loving you.
to miss = to lose
What I love best = you, (my only true love).
I would have chief redress = I most desire the satisfaction (of being with you).
no nother = no other.
ye would mind for = you would show some intention or desire.
ye list = you wish.

19

It was my choice it was no chance
That brought my heart in other's hold
Whereby it hath had sufferance
Longer perdy than reason would
Since I it bound where it was free
Me thinks I wis of right it should
Accepted be.
Accepted be without refuse,
Unless that fortune have the power
All right of love for to abuse.
For, as they say: one happy hour
May more prevail than right or might.
If fortune then list for to lour
What vaileth right.
What vaileth right if this be true?
Then trust to chance and go by guess
Then who so loveth may well go sue
Uncertain hope for his redress.
Yet some would say, assuredly,
Thou mayest appeal for thy release
To fantasy.
To fantasy pertains to choose.
All this I know, for fantasy
First unto love did me induce.
But yet I know as steadfastly
That if love have no faster knot,
So nice a choice slips suddenly,
It lasteth not.
It lasteth not that stands by change:
Fancy doth change; fortune is frail;
Both these to please the way is strange.
Therefore me thinks best to prevail,
There is no way that is so just,
As truth to lead, though tother fail,
And thereto trust.

It was my choyse it was no chance
That browght my hart in others holde
Wherby ytt hath had sufferaunce
Lenger perde then Reason wold
Syns I ytt bownd where ytt was free
Me thinkes ywys of ryght yt shald
Acceptyd be.
Accepted be withowte refuse,
Unles that fortune have the power,
All ryght of love for to abuse ;
For, as they say : one happy howre
May more prevayle than Ryght or Myght.
Yf fortune then list for to lowre
What vaylyth Ryght !
What vaylyth Ryght yff this be true ?
Then trust to chaunce and go by gesse
Then who so lovyth may well go sew
Uncerten Hope for hys redresse.
Yett some wold say, assuredly :
Thou mayest appele for thy relesse
To Fantasy.
To Fantasy pertaynys to chose :
All thys I knowe, for fantasy
Ffurst unto love dyd me induse ;
But yet I knowe as stedefastly
That yff love have no faster knott,
So nyce a choyse slippes sodenly,
Yt lastyth not.
Ytt lastyth not that stondes by change ;
Fansy doth change : fortune ys frayle :
Both thes to ples the way ys strange ;
Therfore me thynkes best to prevayle,
There ys no way that ys so just,
As trowgh to lede, tho tother fayle,
And therto trust.

NOTES

in other's hold = under the rule of another, sc. the one he loves.
sufferance = suffering.
perdy = par Dieu (by God).
than reason would = than is reasonable.
I wis (or iwis) = surely.
refuse = refusal.
abuse = deceive; misuse.
For as they say etc. - The meaning of these three lines seems to be "For, as it is said, an hour of good fortune is worth more than all the rights and obligations in the world. Hence when fortune is bad (lours) one's rights count for nothing".
go by guess = play it by ear.
go sue / Uncertain hope = rely on hope.
redress = success.
fantasy = fancy, whim, imagination.
To fantasy pertains = fantasy is free to.
no faster knot = no tie more secure (than that provided by fantasy).
So nice a choice = so delicate and whimsical a choice (of lover), i.e. one that is based only on fantasy.
slips = undoes itself (continuing the metaphor of the knot).
that stands by change = whose nature it is to change.
the way is strange = the means (of satisfying both fortune and fancy) is irrational and fickle.
best to prevail = (?) the best way to succeed.
As truth to lead = as to lead by truth.
tother = the other, i.e. the loved one.
thereto = in addition.

20

So unwarely was never no man caught
With steadfast look upon a goodly face
As I of late; for suddenly, me thought,
My heart was torn out of his place.
Thorough mine eye the stroke from hers did slide
Directly down unto my heart it ran.
In help whereof the blood thereto did glide,
And left my face both pale and wan.
Then was I like a man for woe amazed,
Or like the bird that flyeth into the fire;
For while that I on her beauty gazed,
The more I burnt in my desire.
Anon the blood start in my face again,
Enflamed with heat that it had at my heart,
And brought therewith throughout in every vein
A quickened heat with pleasant smart.
Then was I like the straw, when that the flame
Is driven therein by force and rage of wind.
I can not tell, alas, what I shall blame,
Nor what to seek nor what to find.
But well I wot the grief holds me so sore
In heat and cold betwixt hope and dread,
That but her help to health doth me restore
This restless life I may not lead.

So unwarely was never no man cawght
With stedefast loke apon a goodly face
As I of late ; for sodenly, me thowght,
My hart was torne owte of hys place.
Thorow myn Iye the strock frome hers did slyde
Dyrectly downe unto my hert it ranne ;
In helpe wherof the blood therto did glyde,
And left my face boeth pale and wann.
Then was I like a man for woo amasyd,
Or like the byrde that flyeth into the fyer ;
For whyll that I on her beaulte gasyd,
The more I burnt in my desyre.
Anon the blowd stert in my face agayn,
Enflamed with hete that yt had att my hert,
And browght therwith therowt in every vayne
A quakynd hete with plesaunt smert.
Then was I like the strawe, when that the flame
Ys drevyn therin by force and rage of wynd ;
I can nott tell alas what I shall blame,
Nor what to seke nor what to fynd.
But well I wote the greffe holdes me so sore
In hete and cold betwyxt hope and drede,
That but her helpe to helth doeth me restore
Thys restles lyff I may nott lede.

NOTES

unwarely = unawares.
With steadfast look etc. = by looking disinterestedly at (her) beautiful face.
In help whereof = in order to give help in that situation.
start = started up, arose to.
Nor what to seek, nor what to find - i.e. I am at a loss to know what to do.
well I wot = I know full well.

21

How should I
Be so pleasant
In my semblant
As my fellows be?
Not long ago
It chanced so
As I did walk alone
I heard a man
That now and then
Himself did thus bemoan:
"Alas," he said
"I am betrayed
And utterly undone,
Whom I did trust
And think so just
Another man hath won".
"My service due
And heart so true
On her I did bestow.
I never meant
For to repent
In wealth nor yet in woe."
"Love did assign
Her to be mine
And not to love no new,
But who can bind
Their fickle kind
That never will be true."
"Each western wind
Hath turned her mind
And blown it clean away,
Thereby my wealth
My mirth and health
Are driven to great decay."
"Fortune did smile
A right short while
And never said me nay,
With pleasant plays
And joyful days
My time to pass away."
"Alas, ah las
The time so was
So never shall it be,
Since she is gone
And I alone
Armless as ye may see."
"Where is the oath
Where is the troth
That she to me did give?
Such feigned words
With silly bourds
Let no wise man believe."
"For even as I
Thus woefully
Unto myself complain,
If ye then trust
Needs learn ye must
To sing my song in vain."
"How should I
Be so pleasant
In my semblant
As my fellows be?"

How shuld I
Be so pleasaunt
In my semblaunt
As my fellowes be.
Not long agoo
It chaunced soo
As I ded walk alone
I herd a man
That now and then
Himself did thus bemone :
"Alas," he saide
"I am betrayde
"And utterly undone,
"Whom I did trust
"And think so just
"Another man hath wone.
"My servise due
"And hert so true
"On her I did bestow,
"I never ment
"Ffor to repente
"In welth nor yet in woo."
Love did assyn
Her to be myn
And not to love no nue
But who can bynd
Their feckell kynd
That never wyll be tru.
Eche westerne winde
Hath torned his minde
And blowen it clene away,
Therby my welth
My mirth and helth
Are dryven to grete dekay.
Fortune did smyle
A right shorte while
And never saide me naye ;
With pleasaunt plaes
And joyful dayes
My tyme to passe awaye.
Alas, ah las
The tyme so was
So never shall it be,
Sins she is gone
And I alone
Armeles as ye may see.
Where is the oth
Where is the troth
That she to me did gyve ?
Such fayned wordes
With selie boordes
Let no wise man beleve.
For even as I
Thus wofully
Unto myself complaine,
If ye then truste
Nedes lerne ye muste
To sing my song in vayne.
How shuld I
Be so pleasaunt
In my semblaunt
As my fellowes be.

NOTES

semblant = appearance.
Their fickle kind - i.e. the race of women, womankind.
Each western wind - (? ) a metaphor for every chance encounter.
turned her mind - the MS 'his' is probably an error.
pleasant plays = delightful amusements.
ah las = alas.
armless = helpless. Other eds give 'am left'.
bourds = jokes, mockeries.
If ye then trust etc. = If you put your trust in a lover, as I did, you will end up singing the same woeful song.

22

Full well it may be seen
To such as understand,
How some there be that ween
They have their wealth at hand,
Thorough love's abused band.
But little do they see
Th'abuse wherein they be.
Of love there is a kind
Which kindleth by abuse,
As in a feeble mind,
Whom fancy may induce,
By love's deceitful use,
To follow the fond lust
And proof of a vain trust.
As I myself may say
By trial of the same,
No wight can well bewray
The falsehood love can frame.
I say, twixt grief and game,
There is no living man
That knows the craft love can.
For love so well can feign
To favour for the while,
That such as seeks the gain
Are served with the guile.
And some can this conceal,
To give the simple leave
Themselves for to deceive.
What thing may more declare
Of love the crafty kind,
Than see the wise, so ware,
In love to be so blind.
If so it be assigned,
Let them enjoy the gain,
That thinks it worth the pain.

Full well yt maye be sene
To suche as understand,
How some there be that wene
They have theyre welth at hand,
Thoruhe loves abusyd band ;
But lytell do they see
Th'abuse wherin they bee.
Of love there ys a kynd
Which kyndlythe by abuse,
As in a feble mynd,
Whome fansy may enduce
By loves dysceatefull use,
To folowe the fond lust,
And prove of a vayn trust.
As I myself may saye
By tryall of the same,
No wyght can well bewray
The falsyed love can frame ;
I saye, twyxt grefe and game,
There is no lyvyng man
That knows the crafte love can.
For love so well can fayn
To favour for the whyle,
That suche as sekes the gayn
Ar servyd with the gyle ;
And some can thys concyle,
To gyve the symple leave
Them selfes for to dysceave.
What thing may more declare
Of love the craftye kynd,
Than see the wyse, so ware,
In love to be so blynd.
If so yt be assynd,
Let them enjoye the gayn,
That thynkes yt worth the payne.

NOTES

ween = think.
thorough = through.
love's abused band = the ties of love (which deceive the lover into thinking all is well). abused = deceived. band = bond.
kindleth by abuse = is kindled by being deceived.
fond lust = foolish desire.
proof = trial.
wight = man.
bewray = reveal, show.
frame = make, create.
love can = that love is capable of.
such as seek the gain = those who seek profit and success (from love).
Are served with the guile = are tricked.
Some can this conceal etc. - Uncertain meaning to these three lines. Perhaps "Some (women) can conceal their treachery, and are happy to allow the simple minded lover to go on deceiving himself.
Of love the crafty kind = the crafty nature of Love.
ware = wary.
If so it be assigned = if that is how things are.

23

Since love is such, that as ye wot,
Cannot always be wisely used
I say therefore then blame me not,
Though I therein have been abused.
For as with cause I am accused,
Guilty I grant, such was my lot,
And though it cannot be excused
Yet let such folly be forgot.
For in my years of reckless youth
Me thought the power of love so great
That to her laws I bound my troth
And to my will there was no let.
Me list no more so far to fet
Such fruit lo as of love ensueth.
The gain was small that was to get
And of the loss the less the ruth.
And few there is but first or last
A time in love once shall they have.
And glad I am my time is past,
Henceforth my freedom to withsave.
Now in my heart there shall I grave
The grounded grace that now I taste.
Thanked be fortune that me gave
So fair a gift, so sure and fast.
Now such as have me seen ere this
When youth in me set forth his kind,
And folly framed my thought amiss,
The fault whereof now well I find,
Lo, since that so it is assigned
That unto each a time there is,
Then blame the lot that led my mind
Sometime to live in love's bliss.
But from henceforth I do protest,
By press of that that I have past,
Shall never cease within my breast
The power of love so late outcast.
The knot thereof is knit full fast,
And I thereto so sure professed,
For evermore with me to last
The power wherin I am possessed.

Syns love ys suche, that as ye wott,
Cannot always be wysely usyd
I say therfore then blame me nott,
Tho I therin have ben abusyd ;
Ffor as with cause I ame accusyd,
Gyllty I graunt, suche was my lott
And tho yt cannot be excusyd
Yet let suche folye be forgott
Ffor in my yeres of rekles youthe
Me thought the power of love so gret
That to her lawes I bound my trouthe
And to my wyll there was no lett.
Me lyst no more so far to fett
Suche frutte lo as of love ensewthe
The gayn was small that was to gett
And of the losse the lesse the reuthe
And few there ys but fyrst or last
A tyme in love ones shall they have ;
And glad I am my tyme ys past
Henceforthe my fredome to withsave.
Now in my hart there shall I grave
The groundyd grace that now I tast ;
Thankyd be fortune that me gave
So fayre a gyfft, so sure and fast.
Now suche as have me sene ere thys
When youthe in me sett forthe hys kynd,
And foly framd my thought amys,
The fawte wherof now well I ffynde,
Loo, syns that so yt ys assynd
That unto eche a tyme there ys,
Then blame the lott that led my mynd
Sometyme to lyve in loves blys.
But frome henceforthe I do protest,
By presse of that that I have past,
Shall never ceace within my brest
The power of love so late owtcast.
The knott thereof ys knytt ffull fast,
And I therto so sure proffest,
Ffor evermore with me to last
The power wherin I am possest.

NOTES

ye wot = you know.
abused = deceived; maltreated.
as with cause = as if in due process of law.
Guilty I grant = I plead guilty.
I bound my troth = I pledged myself.
no let = no hindrance or holding back.
Me list no more = I no longer desire.
so far to fet = (to trudge) such a long way to fetch (obtain).
Such fruit lo as of love ensueth = the delights apertaining to love. Lo signifies 'Behold, you know about it!'.
that was to get = that was obtainable.
And of the loss etc. = (?) Regarding love's failures, there is less sorrow for me now (since I have renounced love).
but first or last = willy-nilly.
once = at some time.

24

Lo how I seek and sue to have
That no man hath, and may be had!
There is no more but sink or save
And bring this doubt to good or bad.
To live in sorrows, always sad,
I like not so to linger forth,
Hap evil or good I shall be glad
To take that comes as well in worth.
Should I sustain this great distress,
Still wandering forth thus to and fro
In dreadful hope to hold my peace,
And feed my self with secret woe?
Nay, nay, certain I will not so
But sure I shall my self apply
To put in proof this doubt to know
And rid this danger readily.
I shall assay by secret suit
To show the mind of mine intent,
And my deserts shall give such fruit
As with my heart my words be meant.
So by the proof of this consent
Soon, out of doubt I shall be, sure,
For to rejoice or to repent,
In joy or pain for to endure.

Lo how I seke and sew to have
That no man hathe, and may be had !
There ys more but synk or save
And bring thys doute to good or bad.
To lyve in sorrows, allways sad,
I lyke not so to linger fforthe,
Hap evyll or good I shallbe glad
To take that comes as well in worthe.
Shold I sustayn this great dystres,
Styll wandryng forthe thus to and froo
In dredfull hope to hold my pese,
And fede my sellf with secret woo ?
Nay, nay, certayne I wyll not soo
But sure I shall my selfe aply
To put in profe this doute to knoo
And rydd thys daunger redely.
I shall assay by secret sute
To show the mynd of myn entent,
And my desertes shall gyve suche frute
As with my hart my wordes be ment.
So by the profe of thys consent
Sone, out of doute, I shall be sure,
For to rejoyce or to repent
In joye or payn for to endure.

NOTES

That no man hath = that which no man has.
may be had = (?) yet is there for the taking.
no more but sink or save = it is either sink or swim.
bring this doubt to good or bad = resolve my doubt one way or the other.
to linger forth = to continue (in such a plight).
Hap evil or good = Let evil or good be my lot, or, whether evil or good fortune awaits me.
that comes = whatever comes.
well in worth = of good value.
Should I sustain = Ought I to continue to endure?
Still wandering forth = always wandering about.
dreadful = full of dread.
to hold my peace = whether I will keep silence.
put in proof = put to the test.
this doubt to know = in order to resolve this uncertainty.
rid this danger = get rid of this danger (of being self-deceived, of being unloved).
assay = try. secret suit = (?) in a secret rendezvous.
the mind of mine intent = what my intentions are.
As with my heart etc. = (?) as if my words were a true statement of what is in my heart.
proof of this consent = trial of her agreement (to a mutual love).
For to rejoice etc. = so that I may either rejoice or repent, being evermore condemned to joy or sorrow with certainty.

25

Since ye so please to here me plain,
And that ye do rejoice my smart,
Me list no longer to remain
To such as be so overthwart.
But cursed be that cruel heart
Which hath procured a careless mind
For me, and mine unfeigned smart,
And forceth me such faults to find.
More than too much I am assured
Of thine intent, whereto to trust.
A speedless proof I have endured,
And now I leave it to them that lust.

Syns ye so please to here me playn,
And that ye do rejoyce my smart,
Me lyst no lenger to remayn
To such as be so overthwart.
But cursyd be that cruell hart
Whyche hathe procuryd a careles mynd
For me, and myn unfaynyd smart,
And forcythe me suche fautes to fynd.
More than to muche I am assuryd
Of thyn entent, wherto to trust ;
A spedles proffe I have enduryd,
And now I leve yt to them that lust.

NOTES

ye so please = you take such pleasure
to hear me plain = to listen to me complaining.
rejoice my smart = take delight at my pain.
Me list no longer = I no longer wish.
to remain / To such = to continue to be devoted to such.
overthwart = perverse, contrary.
procured a careless mind = produced a mind (in her) free of all care for him.
More than too much = absolutely and with more proof than I need.
whereto to trust = and the extent to which I may trust (you).
A speedless proof = an experience without advantage to me.
I leave it = I leave this experience (?), I abandon you (?).
to them that lust = to those who wish to repeat my experience; to those who lust after you.

26

Now must I learn to live at rest
And wean me of my will,
For I repent where I was pressed
My fancy to fulfil.
I may no longer more endure
My wonted life to lead,
But I must learn to put in ure
The change of womanhood.
I may not see my service long
Rewarded in such wise,
Nor I may not sustain such wrong
That ye my love despise.
I may not sigh in sorrows deep
Nor wail the want of love,
Nor I may neither crouch nor creep
Where it doth not behove.
But I of force must needs forsake
My faith so fondly set,
And from henceforth must undertake
Such folly to forget.
Now must I seek some other ways
My self for to withsave,
And as I trust by mine assays
Some remedy to have.
I ask none other remedy
To recompense my wrong
But once to have the liberty
That I have lacked so long.

Now must I lerne to lyve at rest
And weyne me of my wyll,
For I repent where I was prest
My fansy to fullfyll.
I may no lenger more endure
My wonted lyf to lede,
But I must lerne to put in ure
The change of Womanhede.
I may not see my servys long
Rewardyd in suche wyse,
Nor I may not sustayn suche wrong
That ye my love dyspyse
I may not sighe in sorows depe
Nor wayle the want of love,
Nor I may nother cruche nor crepe
Wher hyt dothe not behove.
But I of force must nedes forsake
My faythe so fondly sett,
And frome henceforthe must undertake
Such foly to fforgett
Now must I seke som other ways
My self for to withsave,
And as I trust by myn assays
Some remedy to have.
I aske none other remedy
To recompense my wronge
But ons to have the lyberty
That I have lakt so long.

NOTES

at rest = in peace, free of love's turmoil.
wean me of my will = break away from dependence on my whims, fancies, carnal desires.
pressed = compelled.
My fancy to fulfil = to follow the dictates of my desires.
My wonted life = my customary way of existence.
to put in ure = to set down as experience, to become accustomed to.
The change of womanhood = the fickleness of women.
I may not = I do not intend to; I reject the idea that I must.
crouch nor creep - i.e. as the subservient lover.
so fondly set = so foolishly devoted to you.
withsave = preserve, save.
assays = efforts.
once = here and now; once and for all.

27

Forget not yet the tried intent
Of such a truth as I have meant,
My great travail so gladly spent,
Forget not yet.
Forget not yet when first began,
The weary life ye know, since when,
The suit, the service, none tell can,
Forget not yet.
Forget not yet the great assays,
The cruel wrong, the scornful ways,
The painful patience in denays,
Forget not yet.
Forget not yet, forget not this,
How long ago hath been, and is
The mind, that never meant amiss,
Forget not yet.
Forget not then thine own approved,
The which so long hath thee so loved,
Whose steadfast faith yet never moved,
Forget not this.

Fforget not yet the tryde entent,
Of suche a truthe as I have ment,
My great travayle so gladly spent,
Fforget not yet.
Fforget not yet when fyrst began,
The wery lyffe ye know syns when,
The sute, the servys, none tell can,
Fforget not yet.
Fforget not yet the gret assays,
The cruell wrong, the skornfull ways,
The paynfull pacyence in denays,
Fforget not yet.
Fforget not yet, forget not thys,
How long ago hathe ben, and ys
The mynd, that never ment amys,
Fforget not yet.
Fforget not then thyn owne aprovyd,
The whyche so long hathe thee so lovyd,
Whose stedfast faythe yet never movyd,
Fforget not thys.

NOTES

tried intent = willingness which you have put to the test (tried).
as I have meant = as I have purposed and demonstrated.
assays = toils, efforts, trials.
denays = denials (by you towards me and my love for you).
meant amiss = intended harm (to you).

28

O miserable sorrow withouten cure
If it please thee lo to have me thus suffer,
At least yet let her know what I endure,
And this my last voice carry thou thither
Where lived my hope, now dead for ever.
For as ill grievous is my banishement
As was my pleasure, when she was present.

O myserable sorow withowten cure
Yf it plese the lo to have me thus suffir,
At lest yet let her know what I endure,
And this my last voyse cary thow thether
Wher lyved my hope now ded for ever ;
For as ill grevus is my banyshement
As was my plesure whan she was present.

NOTES

last voice = final word.

29

Blame not my lute for he must sound,
Of this and that as liketh me,
For lack of wit the lute is bound
To give such tunes as pleaseth me,
Though my songs be somewhat strange,
And speaks such words as touch thy change
Blame not my lute.
My lute alas doth not offend,
Though that perforce he must agree
To sound such tunes as I intend,
To sing to them that heareth me.
Then though my songs be somewhat plain,
And toucheth some that use to feign,
Blame not my lute.
My lute and strings may not deny
But as I strike they must obey.
Break not them then so wrongfully
But wreak thyself some wiser way.
And though the songs which I indite
Do quit thy change with rightful spite
Blame not my lute.
Spite asketh spite and changing change,
And falsed faith must needs be known,
The fault so great, the case so strange
Of right it must abroad be blown.
Then since that by thine own desert
My songs do tell how true thou art,
Blame not my lute.
Blame but the self that hast misdone,
And well deserved to have blame.
Change thou thy way so evil begone,
And then my lute shall sound that same.
But if till then my fingers play
By thy desert, their wonted way
Blame not my lute.
Farewell, unknown, for though thou break
My strings in spite, with great disdain,
Yet have I found out for thy sake
Strings for to string my lute again.
And if perchance this silly rhyme
Do make thee blush at any time,
Blame not my lute.

Blame not my lute for he must sound,
Of thes and that as lyketh me,
For lake of wit the lute is bownd
To geve such tunes as plesithe me ;
Tho my songes be sumwhat strange,
And spekes suche wordes as toche thy change
Blame not my lute.
My lute alas doeth not ofend,
Tho that perforce he must agre
To sownd suche tunes as I entend,
To sing to them that hereth me ;
Then tho my songes be somewhat plain,
And tochethe some that use to fain,
Blame not my lute.
My lute and stringes may not deny
But as I strike they must obey
Brake not them then so wrongfully
But wreke thyself som wyser way
And tho the songes whiche I endight
To qwytt thy change with rightful spight
Blame not my lute.
Spyght askyth spyght and changing change,
And falsyd faith must nedes be knowne,
The faute so grett, the case so strange
Of ryght it must abrode be blown ;
Then sins that by thyn own desartt
My songes do tell how trew thou artt
Blame not my lute.
Blame but the selffe that hast mysdone,
And well desarvid to have blame ;
Change thou thy way so evyll begone
And then my lute shall sownd that same ;
But if tyll then my fyngeres play
By thy desartt, ther wontyd way
Blame not my lute.
Farewell, unknown, for tho thou brake
My strynges in spight, with grett desdayn,
Yet have I fownd owtt for thy sake
Stringes for to stringe my lute agayne.
And if perchance this sely rhyme
Do make thee blushe at any tyme,
Blame not my lute.

NOTES

for he must sound = because it brings forth sounds.
as liketh me = according to what I wish.
wit = intelligence, mind.
thy change, your fickleness, unfaithfulness.
may not deny - i.e. the lute cannot deny to do his bidding when he plays it.
Break not them - i.e. do not break the strings (in a fit of temper).
wreak thyself = show your anger.
Do quit thy change = pay you back for your infidelity. (The D ms. gives 'to quit').
changing change = fickleness requires fickleness in return.
so evil begone = so that you absent yourself from evil.